Used Skid Steer Financing: Loans and Leases for Pre-Owned Skid Steers

Why Operators Choose Used Skid Steers

A new skid steer or compact track loader runs $40,000-$90,000+ with attachments; a well-maintained used machine a few years old often costs a third to half less. The skid steer is the Swiss-army knife of the jobsite—one machine that grades, digs, lifts, and clears depending on the attachment—so buying used lets landscapers, contractors, and farmers add that versatility without tying up capital. Lower cost means a lower payment the work can cover. See landscaping business financing and construction business financing.

Hours and Age Limits for Used Skid Steers

Skid steers are judged on operating hours and age. Many lenders finance machines up to 5-7 years old, sometimes to 10 for low-hour, well-kept units from strong brands. Hour thresholds are commonly in the low thousands for a machine to earn the best terms, because skid steers work hard and the hydraulics and drive components wear with use. A 3-year-old unit with 1,500 hours typically qualifies for better terms than a 7-year-old machine with 5,000+ hours. On a compact track loader, the condition of the rubber tracks and undercarriage matters as much as the hours.

Down Payment for a Used Skid Steer

Used skid steers typically require 10-20% down versus 0-10% for new, with stronger credit reaching the lower end. Because attachments can add meaningfully to the price, decide whether you are financing the machine alone or the machine plus a package of attachments, since that changes the loan amount and the equity you need. See down payment for equipment financing.

Credit and Qualification

Most lenders look for 600+ FICO, with 680+ earning the best rates, and some asset-backed programs work with 580+ when revenue and down payment are strong—the machine itself is the collateral. Lenders also weigh time in business and whether the skid steer supports steady work. See credit score for equipment financing.

Loan Terms for Used Skid Steers

Terms typically run 36-60 months on a used skid steer, matched to the machine's remaining life, with rates a point or two above new. A higher-hour machine may be capped at the shorter end. Use our calculator to model the payment, and compare loan vs lease if you rotate machines often.

What Lenders Evaluate on a Used Skid Steer

Underwriting a used skid steer focuses on factors specific to compact equipment:

• Make and model — Bobcat, Caterpillar, John Deere, Case, and Kubota hold value and have strong parts and resale markets.
• Operating hours — the primary wear indicator for the engine, hydraulics, and drive.
• Tires vs tracks — a wheeled skid steer's tires and a compact track loader's rubber tracks and undercarriage are major wear (and cost) items.
• Rated operating capacity — the machine's size class, which sets its resale market.
• Attachments and condition — buckets, augers, and grapples included, plus overall maintenance history.

Bring a written quote with make, model, year, hours, attachments, and price. See what lenders look at.

Pre-Purchase Inspection for a Used Skid Steer

A pre-purchase inspection protects you and supports the financing. On a skid steer, an inspector checks the engine and hydraulics for leaks and pressure, the drive motors, the loader arms and cylinders, the quick-attach plate, and—on a track loader—the undercarriage and track wear, which can be a several-thousand-dollar replacement. Verify the attachments work and are included. Dealers often provide inspection reports; for a private-party buy, hire an independent inspector. See red flags in equipment finance agreements.

Used vs New Skid Steer: When Used Makes Sense

A used skid steer fits when you want versatility on a budget, a second machine, or a unit dedicated to a rough application. New makes sense for full warranty, the latest comfort and tech, and minimal downtime on a primary machine. Many operators run a newer primary unit and a used backup—or buy used specifically to fund a fuller set of attachments. Compare total cost of ownership before deciding.

Where to Find Used Skid Steer Financing

Equipment lenders, banks, and specialty financiers finance used skid steers, and dealer financing is convenient at purchase. A marketplace like Axiant Partners submits one application to multiple lenders so you can compare. See how fast equipment financing is approved, and get matched for used skid steer financing.